Ask Dr. Potato

How Long Does Potato Salad Last in the Refrigerator?

Q: How long does potato salad last in the refrigerator?

A: Here are the USDA guidelines: To prepare, once potatoes are cooked and mixture has mayonnaise added then "cool to 70º F in 2 hrs or less and then to 41°F in 4 hrs or less." Note, the USDA recommends that "if the potato salad was held in excess of 41°F for over two hours, then discard."A couple of things to consider... Did the salad get made up and then refrigerated right away and you just have some leftover? If this is the case then it should easily last 3-4 days. Was the salad used at a picnic and then placed back in the refrigerator? Then probably no more than the next day, if that. I usually don't recommend saving the salad after it has sat out in the heat at all.The potatoes should be fine; it’s the other ingredients you need to think about. Are eggs part of the salad? Less shelf life. Was the mayo homemade? If so, homemade mayo does not last as long as commercial mayonnaise, which has pasteurized eggs and is prepared in very sterile facilities with preservatives such as salt.Don't save it too long, it's not that expensive to replace.

Don OdiorneVice President Foodservice(Not a real doctor, just someone with experience accumulated over several years in foodservice)

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The Idaho Potato Commission

Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous "Grown in Idaho®" seal, a federally registered trademark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho's ideal growing conditions, including rich, volcanic soil, climate and irrigation differentiate Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states.